There is a maxim in MMA that on any given day anyone can win or lose a fight – this unpredictability is what helps ensure the sport is so relentlessly exciting.

And this sentiment has never been truer than in relation to UFC’s talent-stacked Light Heavyweight division.

UFC 96 on Saturday night hosts a battle between two fighters who are both looking to consolidate their places in the weight class as Joe Silva, UFC match maker, attempts to clarify where contenders rank in terms of a title shot.

Both Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Keith Jardine have defeated the formerly-dominant champion Chuck Liddell – taking half of Liddell’s six defeats between them – yet in very different fashions.

Jackson scored a stunning KO at UFC 71 in May 2007 to take Liddell’s Light Heavyweight title, having triumphed against him previously at Pride Final Conflict in November 2003.

Jardine took a hard-earned split decision victory over the ‘Ice-Man’ at UFC 76 in September 2007 to put his own career back on track after a brutal knockout loss to UFC newcomer Houston Alexander at UFC 71.

However, Rampage lost his title to Forrest Griffin in his first defence – a man who Jardine defeated with a first round TKO in December 2006 at UFC 66.

After beating Chuck Liddell at UFC 71, Jardine was himself KO’d by Wanderlei Silva at UFC 84 in May 2008. And who had Silva most recently knocked out by previous to facing Jardine? Rampage of course, closing this circle of shared knockouts.

The ramifications for Saturday’s fight between Jackson and Jardine are similarly convoluted.

The 205lbs title is now held by Rashad Evans and Jackson wants nothing more than to be given another shot at winning the belt.

But for Jardine the outlook is less clear. Evans is a team mate and close friend of Jardine – but he too also holds a win over Jardine, taken during the second series of The Ultimate Fighter.

Whether Jardine will fight his training partner or not, or if even if he will become a gate-keeper to the title, is unclear.

But what is certain is that Jardine and Jackson, both packing concussive power, will equally be looking to end the cycle of victory-trading to emerge as the dominant fighter in the division.

Matt Freeman is the editor of MMA Unlimited- available in WH Smiths and Borders.